Namco Museum Will Be a Digital-Only Release in NA

Bandai Namco has confirmed today that their upcoming nostalgic compilation Namco Museum for Nintendo Switch will be launched only as a digital title in the North American market, denying the rumors about a physical release originated from an image on the official Nintendo of America website. The image featured the cover of the came on the format usually reserved for physical releases, but that possibility seems to be gone now.

Namco Museum is a compilation of classic videogames from Namco such as Pac-Man, Galaga or Splatterhouse, and it’s expected to be released for Nintendo Switch this summer. To this day, the official website of Nintendo of America features the cover of the game in a rectangular case, something that is only reserved for physical releases, as the digital titles are portrayed with a square image. Nevertheless, Bandai Namco has confirmed that the title will only be available as a digital download.

This compilation offers new features to the classic titles, such as pause and resume capabilities, a new Challenge Mode available for each game, a worldwide ranking system based on the players’ performance, the possibility to play with the screen set in vertical or horizontal, and 2 player mode for the titles that allow it.

The complete list of games included in this collection is: Pac-Man, Dig Dug, The Tower of Druaga, Skykid, Galaga, Galaga ’88, Rolling Thunder, Rolling Thunder, Splatterhouse, and Tank Force. The compilation feature very different gameplay experiences including platforming, arcade, or hack’n’slash, and it’s the perfect opportunity to remember or re-discover these videogame gems.

However, it’s easy to understand how this news will be upsetting for some fans, considering that this type of release appeals in a great way to collectors of special editions that are much more appealing if they are released in physical form. Especially since the $29.99 price tag for Namco Museum is far from being a bargain.